Sports bettors will be able to wager on Major League Baseball games again next month. It was announced by the MLB on Tuesday that a 60 game 2020 season imposed by commissioner Rob Manfred will start either July 23 or July 24.
After months of failed negotiations and disagreement over length of season and pay of players, the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) told the league that players will comply with Manfred’s imposed season.
Manfred was given this option to unilaterally impose a season in a March agreement between the MLB and MLBPA.
“Major League Baseball is thrilled to announce that the 2020 season is on the horizon,” Manfred said. “We have provided the Players Association with a schedule to play 60 games and are excited to provide our great fans with baseball again soon.”
This 60-game “regular” season of all 30 MLB teams will present a 900-game sports betting menu for gamblers. The format of the season will be regional play.
Teams will play 40 games against opponents in their own division. There will also be 20 interleague games based on region. For example, teams in the National League Central Division will only play teams from the four other teams in the National League Central (10 times each) and the five teams in the American League Central divisions (four times each) during the regular season.
The regional format allows a majority of the 2020 season to be divisional play with a lot of rivalry games.
Other notable changes for this season include a universal designated hitter (DH) in both the National League and American League, and a runner starting on second base and in scoring position during extra inning play.
The MLB and the MLBPA also agreed to multiple health and safety protocols in order to get the season underway.
Generally consisting of 162 games – the longest season among the three major American sports leagues – a shortened MLB season could be exciting for sports bettors, angled as a race to the postseason where every game has heightened importance. The question remains whether every team will agree to play.
